Comedy Warriors Live YYToronto!

Two of the courageous comedians from the inspirational film Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor will be peforming at Yuk Yuk’s Toronto this Sunday! Yuk Yuk’s is proud to welcome heroes Bobby Henline & Joe Kashnow to the stage of our “Super Club”! See below for more info on each comic and videos of their stand up!

“A brilliant and moving movie that finds big laughs.” (Bill Maher). Five severely injured American veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars explore their wartime experiences and confront their disabilities through the healing power of comedy. Each is paired with a celebrated comedian—such as Zach Galifianakis, Lewis Black, B.J. Novak and Bob Saget—who mentors the budding stand-up on how to write and perform a solid routine. While also providing an insider’s look at how a stand-up set is developed, Comedy Warriors is a funny and heartwarming journey that culminates in a laugh-out- loud live performance event. “I love these brave soldiers and how brutally honest they are as comedians” (Adam Sandler).

Bobby Henline is an American hero who spreads joy and hope through his love of stand-up comedy and motivational speaking . A veteran of Desert Storm by age 19, Bobby was inspired to re-enlist in the Army after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. He deployed to Iraq three times with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Armored Calvary regiment. On April 7th, 2007, tragedy struck when Bobby’s Humvee was hit by a roadside bomb just north of Bagdad. Of five men in the vehicle, Bobby was the only survivor. More than 38 percent of his body was burned and his head was burned to the skull; he spent six months in the hospital fighting for his life, and within two years Bobby’s left hand was amputated. To date, he has had more than 40 surgeries.

In August, 2009 Bobby pinky swore with his occupational therapist that he would try stand-up comedy in Los Angeles while he was in town for a doctor’s visit. Shortly thereafter, during an open mic night at the Comedy Store, the “Well-Done Comedian” was born. Bobby believes that God kept him alive for a reason. He believes his mission is to help create awareness for burn survivors, to inspire people to live life to the fullest, and to heal others through his story and laughter. Bobby’s self-deprecating comedic style will leave you in stitches and will burn in your heart forever.

Bobby has also proved to be a gifted motivational speaker, using his own experiences as a way to add perspective and bring inspiration to people’s lives. Bobby has been asked to speak with companies, individuals and non-profit organizations. Testimonials from those who have heard Bobby provide a sense of the lasting aura he projects.

Bobby lives in San Antonio, TX with his wife Connie and their four children. He performs regularly at the Laugh Out Loud and River Center Comedy Clubs in San Antonio, and has also performed at Rooster T. Feathers in Sunnyvale, CA. The Comedy Zone in Fayetteville, NC. and in Las Vegas at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club. Bobby has appeared the Today Show, The NY Times, Readers Digest, the Huffington Post, Time Magazine and on Showtimes “Comedy Warriors”.

Wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2003 Joe spent almost two years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC learning how to walk with what remained of his leg. In February 2005, Joe underwent a below-knee amputation and 30 days later when he was fitted with his first prosthetic device he was already able to walk better than he had since his injury.

Joe began his standup comedy career in January 2012 when he finally ran out of excuses of why he couldn’t get on stage and tell jokes. Winning the open mic competition at Magooby’s Comedy Club in Maryland at his first show was just the start of great things to come.

Joe’s passion for telling jokes and helping others realize that laughter truly is the best medicine led him to become part of the documentary “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor.” This film, essentially an in-depth comedy workshop allowed Joe to work with nationally known comedians and provided a jumpstart to his comedy career. Now with a leg-up in the comedy world Joe has performed across the country and is pursuing his dream of helping others through laughter.

In addition to finding something to laugh at no matter how much pain is involved, Joe also works as a motivational speaker using his own experiences and struggles to show what can be overcome with no more than a positive attitude and the determination to accomplish one’s goals. Joe has spoken at schools, business groups, social clubs and non-profit organizations.

Joe lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife, two sons and their cat. He can be seen entertaining all over the Baltimore area from comedy clubs, to coffee houses and sometimes to very small groups in his living room.